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  Adoptive Parents - Adoptive Parent Class Descriptions  
   

Click on the links below to view the detailed class descriptions:


Adoption 101

Speakers: Cradle Staff and Panel of Adoption Circle Members
This required, all-day workshop is designed to help prepare you to become an adoptive parent. Among the topics you will explore are:

  • Differences and similarities in families built through adoption vs. by birth.
  • The spirit of openness as a lifelong commitment.
  • Understanding and hearing birthparent experiences.
  • The realities of adoption (for example, health risks).

6 credit hours of DCFS Foster Care Training

Available Class Dates

  • Saturday, February 13, 2010 is now FULL.
  • Saturday, March 13, 2010 is now FULL.
  • Saturday, April 10, 2010
  • Saturday, May 15, 2010
  • Saturday, June 12, 2010

8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., lunch will be served
The Cradle
2049 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL
View directions to this location

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Making Connections: Adoptive Parents "Meet" Birthparents

Speaker: Cradle Adoption Counselor

In this session you will:

  • Begin to understand the steps to making a match.
  • Practice match-meeting skills.
  • Become aware of how to show your profile on the Cradle website in order to increase your visibility to prospective birthparents.

2.5 credit hours of DCFS Foster Care Training.

Available Class Dates

  • Tuesday, March 2, 2010 is now FULL.
  • Tuesday, April 27, 2010 is now FULL.
  • Tuesday, May 25, 2010

6:00 - 8:30 p.m., feel free to bring a snack
The Cradle
2049 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL
View directions to this location

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Parenting a Child at Risk

Speaker: Dan Griffith, PhD Clinical Pediatric Psychologist

Dr. Griffith will speak on:

  • The effects of prenatal drug and/or alcohol exposure.
  • The long-term risks the exposure may present.
  • Parenting skills to help you help your baby (and older child) regulate his or her behavior.

Dr. Griffith is a nationally known author, lecturer, and child psychologist. He has provided clinical services for hundreds of high-risk children and their families.

2.5 credit hours of DCFS Foster Care Training.

Available Class Dates

  • Saturday, February 20, 2010
  • Saturday, May 22, 2010

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Lutheran General Hospital, Johnson Auditorium
1775 Dempster St.
Park Ridge, IL
View directions to this location

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Transition to Openness

Speakers: Cradle Counselors and Adopted Person

This course will continue the prospective adoptive parents educational journey by focusing specifically on the spirit and practice of openness.

You will learn:

  • How to build a sustaining, nurturing family by furthering
    your understanding and empathy towards the birthparents.
  • Begin developing a "Dear Birthparent" letter.
  • The specific roles and responsibilities of adoptive parents.

A light meal will be provided.

4 credit hours of DCFS Foster Care Training.

Available Class Dates

  • Saturday, February 6, 2010 is now FULL.
  • Thursday, March 4, 2010 is now FULL.
  • Saturday, April 3, 2010, 9:00 - 1:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 6, 2010, 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 5, 2010, 9:00 - 1:00 p.m.

The Cradle
2049 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL
View directions to this location

sign up

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Expectant Families Support Group (Optional)

Speaker: Cradle Staff, Cradle Families and Community Professionals

A bi-monthly meeting for families who are currently awaiting placement through The Cradle's Domestic Adoption program. This group is led by a Cradle Adoption Counselor and is an opportunity to discuss a variety of topics that affect expecting adoptive families, meet other families and receive support during the waiting process.

  • February 17, 2010, 7 - 9pm
    Topic: Making Decisions and Dealing with Choices: Discussing Race, Ethnicity and Adoption

    During this meeting, we will show the complete versions of the videos "Struggle for Identity" and "A Conversation 10 years Later". Many Waiting Families attended Adoption 101 prior to the addition to this video. Families who have seen it in the class, have only seen a small portion. This will be an opportunity for families to see the entire video and have a discussions about it. Also, this meeting (and only this meeting) will be open to families who are currently in process. Specifically, families MUST have completed Adoption 101 and have submitted their Cradle Application to attend. This may be an opportunity for "just in time learning" for families who would like to think about their decisions about child requests before their home study is completed and expand on their learning in Adoption 101.
  • April 21, 2010, 7 - 9 pm
    Topic: TBA

  • June 16, 2010, 7 - 9pm
    Topic: TBA

The Cradle
2049 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL
View directions to this location

Click Here to let us know you wil be attending

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